"Trollhunter" (2010)

In the mostly annoying trend of found footage, Norway succeeded in creating a fun little example in “Trollhunter.” It is the story of a film crew looking into strange bear attacks across Norway. What they discover is that it is actually an elaborate cover story, maintained by the government to hide the fact that they have trolls. And, there is one man charged with keeping the trolls check. The ranger, if you will.

It’s all just a silly diversion of a film. The only reason I even mention it is the head-scratching way this story deals with Christianity. It is actually illuminating in a way.

Early on in the film, the ranger asks the crew if any of them are believers. It seems the trolls can smell Christians and are keen on killing them. The crew all insist that they are not Christians. However, later in the film the cameraman begins to panic. It turns out he is a Christian and he is convinced he will be killed as a result.

It is a strange, but typically confused representation of Christianity. Even though the question is “do you believe” the actual meaning of “Christian” in this film is a cultural one. The cameraman is clearly not a believer, but he is designated as such. Likely he comes from a “Christian” family and has undergone some symbolic initiation—confirmation or something similar.

Later in the film a new camera woman is called in. She is a self-confessed Muslim. It is unclear if trolls are indiscriminately against religious folks or just Christians. What is annoying is the inconsistency and misunderstanding caused by such labels, though. It is typical in today’s western culture. There is no distinction between cultural religion and true, convicting, faith.

In any case post-Christian Europe no longer sees faith as a weapon against danger. The only person to die is the weak, nominal, Christian.